Electrical connection means



Oct. 2, 1945. H. L. NEWELL ELECTRICAL CONNECTION MEANS Filed April 16,1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor-z Haber L. Newell,

' H is Atborne g.

0112b, 2, 1945. H NEWELL 2,386,056

ELECTRICAL CONNECTION MEANS Filed April 16, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Inventor: Hebew- L. Newell,

His Attorne ga Patented Oct. 2, 1945 ELECTRICAL CONNECTION MEANS Hebe:L. Newell, Bridgeport, Conn., asoignor to mpany, a corporation ofGeneral Electric Co New York Application April 16, 1943, Serial No.483,270 '1 Claims. (Cl. 173-324) This invention relates to an electricalconnection device for connecting an electrical translating device to apower source, more particularly for connecting a portable electricalappliance such as a flatiron to its power source through a flexiblesupply cord, and it has for its object the provision of an improveddevice of this char acter.

This invention is especially applicable to a swivel connector for anappliance, and it contemplates a device which has a simple andinexpensive construction, which is removable from the appliance, andwhich is electrically safe and mechanically strong.

In accordance with this invention in one form thereof, the appliance isprovided with a pair of suitable supply leads. A casing is provided forreceiving the supply conductors of the supply cord, and within thecasing are fixed connector members which are electrically insulated fromthe casing and which are 'elecfti'ically connected to the supply cordconductorsr. Electrical; ly connected to the leads are fixed alignedelectrical conducting pins which are projected through openings providedfor them in the walls of the casing whereby the casing is rotatablymounted with reference to the appliance. These pins are in electricalengagement with the fixed contacts mounted within the casing. Thearrangement is such that the casing can swivel with reference to theiron so as to greatly facilitate the manipulation of the iron in theironing operations.

In one form of this invention, the pins, which function both as pivotalsupports for the casing and which electrically connect the conductors ofthe supply cord to the appliance leads are removable so that the casingwith the cord attached may be removed as a unit. Inasmuch as the fixedconnectors are housed within the casing and electrically insulated fromthe outside thereof, the device is electrically safe even though thecord be plugged into the supply source when the casing is removed.

In another form of this invention, the pins are fixed and the casing isconstructed so that in one angular position thereof it can be removedfrom the pins.

For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should behad to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is an elevation, mainlyin section, of an electrically heated flatiron provided with connectormeans arranged in accordance with this invention; Fig. 2 is an enlargedfragmentary sectional view taken through a portion of the flatironstructure shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken through theline H of Fig. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 4 is afragmentary view illustrating a flatiron provided with connector meansof modified form arranged in accordance with this invention; Fig. 5 is atop plan view of the casing used in the construction shown in Fig. 4;and Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken through the line 6-8 of Fig. 5 andlooking in the direction of thearrows.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 to 3,

this invention has been shown in one form as applied to an electricallyheated flatiron comprising a sole plate in which is electrically heatedby a heating element II. The heating element ll preferably will be ofthe sheathed type having a helical resistance conductor I2 mountedwithin an outer metallic casing l3, and supported in spaced relationwith reference to the casing and electrically insulated from it by acompacted mass it formed of any suitable electrically insulating andheat conducting material, such as granular magnesium oxide. Preferablyand as shown, the heating element In will be cast within the sole platel0, and preferably it will have roughly a u-shape with its terminals I!located at the rear of the sole plate.

Also, preferably the iron will be of the automatic type in the sensethat the energization of the heating unit H is controlled in order tohold an even temperature in the sole plate. As shown, the heating meansis controlled by a temperature responsive operating element l 8 that isconnected in thermal relation with the sole plate I 0. This switch isdescribed and claimed in the United States Patent to James R. Campbell,No. 2,158,850, and dated May 16, 1939.

The iron is provided with a pair of supply leads i9 and 20. It will beunderstood that leads l9 and 20 are so arranged that when they areconnected to the opposite sides of a supply source the heating elementII will be energized with the switch It connected in series with it.

The sole plate is enclosed by means of a suitable shell 2| which at itsrear terminates in a heel rest section 22.

Attached to the shell is a handle structure 23 provided with ahand-grasping portion 24, a front supporting post 25 and a rearsupporting post 26. Preferably and as shown, the handgrasping portion 24and the two posts 25 and 28 are integrally united, and preferably theywill be molded from a suitable electrically insulating material, such asan insulating phenol condensation product. It will lie-understood thatthe lower ends or the two posts 22 and 28 willbesecuredtothetopwalloltheshellflinany suitable way.

The connector means arranged in accordance with this invention comprisesa suitable cyiindrical casing or housing 21 which is inserted a in atransverse recess 28 provided for it in-the suitable material, such as ametal, and which is closed at the top and bottom by means or top vandbottom walls 32 and 28; these latter walls are formed from a suitableelectrically insulating material, such as an insulating phenolcondensation product. The top and bottom walls the pins 40 are projectedthrough these openings may be secured to the side wall 3| in any suit- 7able way as by screw-fastening means 8|, countersunk into them, asshown.

Also, entering the outer opening 20 of the recess 28 is an electricalsupply cord 3! ol the twin conductor type. The cord, as shown, isinserted into the casing 21 through an opening 38 provided for it in theside wall ll, of the casing. The two conductors l1 and ll of the cordare electrically and mechanically connected to connector members 30 and40, respectively, which are secured to the top and bottom walls 32 and83, respectively, by means or screws ll. The connector members 38 and 20are of the forked construction type, each being provided with a forkedsection 12, as shown; and the two forked sections are in alignment witheach other.

terminal sections 52 with the leads l8 and 28. a

pair of screws are mounted in the handle structure. As shown, they aremounted in a pair of vertically positioned aligned bores as provided inthe post 26 and which open into the recess through its top and bottomwalls. The heads of the'screws t5 bear against shoulders 47 provided forthem in the bores it, and the shanks of the screws extend through smallpassageways 58 at the inner ends of the bores. The screws are pro= videdwith pin-like extensions (19 which are pro- Jected through the alignedopenings t8 and dd in the top and bottom walls of the casing, as clearlyshown in Figs. 1 and 2. The pins as have such a length that they projectsumciently far into the casing to be received by the two prongs of theforked ends 62 of the connector members.

As pointed out'previously, the screws as also function to connect theconnector members 59 and 4d electrically with the heads i9 and 2d. Forthis purpose, the leads it and 2d are provided with sections 6t and tirespectively which enter the recess 28 through its rear opening 28 andwhich lie respectively against the upper and lower walls of the recesswith the casing 271 received between them, as shown. These sections soand El are provided with openings which are aligned with the bores dBand with the openings 68 and it in the top and bottom walls oi thecasing, and

in the leads. Preferably, the openings in the leads will be threaded soas to threadedly receive the screws. In order to provide a more secureand better electrical and mechanical connection between the screws andthe lead sections, the

lead sections may have attached thereto suitable nuts I2 and 53respectively which threadedly receive the screws. The nuts may beattached to m lead sections in any suitable way, as by weld- It will beunderstood that in assembling the housing 21 with the appliance, thehousing will be inserted into the recess 2| in proper relation withthebores 40, and then the screws 48 will be inserted in the bores andthreaded into the nuts 82 and 53 so that their Pine 40 are received inthe apertures in the top and bottom walls or the casing to pivotallymount it. It will be further understood that by this very act, the pinsll will be received between the two prongs oi the fork edsections 42 infrictional engagement with them so as to effect a good electricalconnection between the supply cord and the leads I! and 2| or the ironwhich are connected with the pins.

It will also be understood that the housing 21 and cord ll may beswiveled on a vertical axis with reference to the appliance so as tofacilitate the handling of the iron.

Also it will be understood that the connector structure may be removedmerely by withdrawing the screws 28 from their bores ll. It should benoted that when the connector structure is removed it is electricallysafe even it the cord 22 be plugged into a supply source socket, becausethe connectors 40 are housed within the casing and they have noelectrical connection through any part or the casing to its exterior.

InFigsAto6thereisshownaiormotthis invention in which it is not necessaryin order to release the casing to remove the combined holding andconnecting pins, as in the first i'orxn described. i

In the second form illustrated, the iron is provided with a shell 64 anda rear handle standard 65 having a recess 58 therein'ior receiving theiron leads 51 and It. Interposed in the recess is an insulating housing88 through the side wall of which is inserted a supply cord 80. Thehousing 59, as shown, is formed or twin halves 59a and 59b clampedtogether by bolts Bi. And the edges of the side walls are provided withsemicircular complementary recesses tic which in the assembled structureform a circular opening through which the cord is inserted, as shown in.Fig. 4.

The supply cord 80 has its two conductors i2 and 63 connected to thefork-like connection members 84 and 65, respectively, which-are securedto the top'andbottom walls of the casing 65, as shown.

Pins es and t1 rotatably mount the casing 58 and electrically connectthe conductors B2 and so with the leads 5? and 58. Here, however, thepins are fixed having knurled heads, -as shown, secured to the handle.These pins are inserted through radial slots 88 and 59 respectively inthe top and bottom walls of the housing as, aligned withthe openings inthe connectors 65 and 55, and which are arranged substantially at rightangles, or slightly less than a right angle, to the direction or thecord ti. when the housing 59 is inserted into the handle recess 56 inone particular position the slots 88 and 89 receive the pins 68 and stand permit the housing to be moved into its proper position where thepins are clamped by the prongs of the forks 64 and 65. It will beobserved that since the cord 6! is substantially at a right angle to theslots 68 and 69, pulls on the cord will never tend to remove the housingfrom the handle.

It will be understood that, as before, the pins 86 and 61 will beinserted through openings provided for them in the leads and 5B, andwill be electrically connected to them.

While I have shown particular embodiments of my invention, it will beunderstood, of course, that I do not wish to be limited thereto sincemany modifications may be made, and I, therefore, contemplate by theappended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the truespirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, is:

l. A swivel electrical supply connector structure comprising a pair offixed opposed supply leads, a pair of aligned opposed electricallyconducting pins electrically connected to said leads and projectingtowards each otherfrom said leads, a casing interposed between saidleads and provided with openings receiving said pins so that it isjournaled on them for rotation with reference to the said leadspositioned on opposite sides thereof, an electrical supply cord havingits conductors entering said casing, and means connecting saidconductors to said pins respectively, said means permitting the rotationof said casing with reference to said leads.

2. Electrical supply connector means comprising a member provided with arecess having opposed walls, a pair of opposed supply leads enteringsaid recess and lying against said opposed walls respectively, a casingwithin said recess interposed between aid leads, electrically conductingpins in said recess for rotatably supporting said casing, a supplyconductor having conducting elements entering said casing, connectorswithin said casing connected to said conducting elements and yieldinglyengaging said pins, and means electrically connecting said pins withsaid leads.

3. Electrical supply connector means comprising a pair of opposed supplyleads, a member provided with a recess for receiving said leads, acasing within said recess between said leads, said leads being providedwith aligned openings, electrically conducting pins mounted in saidmember so as to project through said openings and to be in electricalcontact with said leads, a housing within said recess having opposed topand bottom electrically insulating walls, said walls having aperturesthrough which said pins project so that the housing is iournaled forrotation on said pins, fork-shaped connectors secured to said insulatingwalls and having the two prongs thereof engaging opposite sides of saidpins, and a supply cord having conductors in said housing secured tosaid connectors.

4. Electrical connector means comprising a housing provided with opposedelectrically insulating walls having aligned openings therein, a memberprovided with a. recess for receiving said housing, supply leads alsoentering said recess and positioned opposite said insulating walls,opposed 'fork-shaped connector members within said housing secured tosaid insulating walls, a supply cord entering said housing and havingits conducting elements secured to said connector members, said memberalso having aligned bores opening into said recess over said leads, andthe leads having openings aligned with said bores and said openings andthe bores being aligned with the openings in said insulating walls, andelectrically conducting pins inserted through said bores and openings insaid leads and insulating walls so as to rotatably mount said housing,and so as to be inserted between the prongs of said fork-shapedconnector members, and means detachably and electrically connecting saidpins with said leads.

5. Connector structure comprising a member provided with a recesstherein having opposed walls and an inside opening and an outsideopening located between said walls, and said member also having a pairof aligned bores opening into said walls respectively, a pair of supplyleads entering said recess through its inner opening and having sectionslying along said walls respectively and also having openings in saidsections aligned with the openings in said bores, screws insertedthrough said bores and threaded into the holes in said leads and havingportions projecting into said recess, a cylindrical casing inserted insaid recess through its outer opening and having a pair of opposedelectrically insulating end walls that have openings into which saidprojecting ends of said screws are inserted, a pair of fork-likeconnector members anchored to said end walls respectively so that theirforked sections embrace said projecting ends of said screws, and anelec- 0 casing, an electrical supply cord, electrical connectors withinsaid casing connected to the conductors of said cord and engaging theportions of said pins that project into said casing, and said casinghaving radial slots therein extending from said pins to the outer edgesor the casing, said slots being arranged at a relatively wide angle tosaid supply cord so that when said casing is in its normal operativeposition it cannot be pulled away from said pins by the supply cord.

7. Electrical supply connector means comprising a pair of opposed supplyleads, a member provided with a recess for receiving said leads, acasing within said recess between said leads, said recess having anopening through which said casing is inserted, electrically conductingpins projecting into said recess for rotatably supporting said casing, asupply cord entering said recess through said recess opening and havingconducting elements entering said casing, connectors within said casingconnected to said conducting elements and yieldingly engaging said pins,means electrically connecting said pins with said leads, and the wallsor said casing opposite said leads respectively having radial slotstherein extending from said pins to the outer edges of the casing sothat said casing can be removed from said pins when said casing is in apredetermined angular position in said recess, and said slots beingarranged substantially at right angles to said supply cord so that whensaid casing is in its normal operative position in said recess and sa dcord enters the recess through said recess opening said casing cannot bepulled from said pins by said cord.

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